Russ Brayshaw grew up playing on frozen ponds during the frigid winters in Rosthern, Saskatchewan with many of his friends. By the age of 15, it was apparent he had distinguished himself as the best player in local competition. In 1938-39, at the age of 20, he joined the Moose Jaw Millers of the Saskatchewan Senior League. He turned out to provide an offensive spark for the club, potting ten goals and 12 points.

The advent of World War Two meant no hockey for most Canadians, including Brayshaw, who did not play competitively again until 1944-45, when he had an opportunity to play for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL. In 43 games, he popped in five goals and 14 points. With the return of many of the NHL's regular players the following year, Brayshaw and others like him who served as fill-ins, found themselves without a job in the NHL.

In 1945-46, Brayshaw joined the Cleveland Barons of the NHL, playing in 57 games, scoring 24 goals and 48 points. In a seven-year professional career, Brayshaw toured through six leagues. His last pro season was in 1949-50 when he was a member of the Regina Capitals.

REGULAR SEASON

PLAYOFFS

Season

Club

League

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

+/-

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

1936-37

Noranda Cooper Kings

NOHA

11

8

19

1937-38

Saskatoon Quakers

N-SSHL

16

2

1

3

4

5

0

0

0

0

1938-39

Moose Jaw Millers

S-SSHL

22

10

2

12

8

10

1

2

3

6

1939-40

Moose Jaw Millers

S-SSHL

32

9

8

17

40

7

1

1

2

4

1939-40

Moose Jaw Millers

Al-Cup

3

0

1

1

0

1940-41

Moose Jaw Millers

S-SSHL

30

11

11

22

14

1941-42

Moose Jaw Millers

S-SSHL

28

9

15

24

26

9

5

3

8

4

1942-43

Victoria VMD

NNDHL

18

16

15

31

16

1942-43

New Westminster Spitfires

PCHL

1

0

0

0

2

6

4

5

9

8

1943-44

Seattle Ironmen

NNDHL

2

1

1

2

0

1943-44

New Westminster Spitfires

PCHL

19

17

15

32

25

3

3

1

4

4

1943-44

New Westminster Royals

Al-Cup

15

21

8

29

10

1944-45

Chicago Black Hawks

NHL

43

5

9

14

24

1945-46

Cleveland Barons

AHL

57

24

24

48

37

5

1

1

2

0

1946-47

Providence Reds

AHL

38

10

16

26

27

1946-47

St. Louis Flyers

AHL

21

8

4

12

2

1947-48

St. Louis Flyers

AHL

7

2

2

4

6

1947-48

Tulsa Oilers

USHL

52

22

21

43

12

2

0

0

0

0

1948-49

Vancouver<196>Seattle

PCHL

20

5

11

16

20

1948-49

Saskatoon Quakers

WCSHL

12

2

7

9

16

NHL Totals

43

5

9

14

24

Traded to St. Louis (AHL) by Providence (AHL) with Bill McComb for Eddie Bush, Carl Liscombe, Roly Rossignol and cash, January 9, 1947. Traded to Seattle (PCHL) by Vancouver (PCHL) with Paul Waldner and cash for Bill Shill and Ab Collings, November 8, 1948.